Mining machine



M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Filed May 17, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 k m h m Z w azzg.

Patented Dec. 23, 1930 'UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE MORRIS P. HOLMES, F CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR '10 SULLIVAN MA- CHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHINE Application filed. May 17,

This invention relates to mining machines and more particularly to the cutting mecha- I 'closed herein the invention is embodied in an arcwall type of machine of the universal or combined horizontal and vertical cutting yp t i In the present day mountedmining machine which embodies a truck provided with appropriate running gear and generally adapted to bepropelled along tracks laid in the mine passages, power operated cutting mechanismsare provided which include means'for actuating the cutting elements to effect the cutting operation thereof and means for swinging the cutter bar upon which the cutting elements travel to effect the making of arcuate cuts and-to adjust the bar to the positions in which it may be fixed during the making of entering or sumping and withdrawing cuts. Moreover, since the machlnes are n certain preferred. forms provided wlth but a single motor whlch not only operates the cutting mechanism, but also provides for the feeding of the machine during propulsion about the mine as well as during cutting, it is desirable to provide means for wholly disconnecting thecutting mechanism from the operating motor so that while the machine is moving around the 'mine it may be possible to leave the bar dead and so avoid serious injury to'miners who may be in the vicinity of the machine while it is being moved. It is furthermore highly desirable in' view of the relatively large size of ma -chines ofthis type to be able to swing the cutter bar by power without necessity of operating thecutting elements, for by swinging the bar turns into entries opening off of the main passageways may be much more readily negotiated.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved cutting mechani'sm which isparticularly adapted to meet the several problems outlined. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved cutting mechanism in including means for actuating the cutting elements, and means for swinging a. cutter 1926. Serial No. 109,740.

bar supporting the cutting elements, the mechanism having provision whereby the "control of the cutting elements and the bar tion to provide improved unitary control means governing the connection of the out ting mechanlsm with a source of power, the

swinging of the bar and the actuation of the cutting elements in a predetermined sequence and thereby providing a maximum of safety for the machine runner and all others in the neighborhood of the machine. Qther objects and advantages of the invention will subsequently appear.

In a preferred embodiment the invention may comprise a pivotally mounted cutter bar carrying orbitally movable cutting elements and means for controlling the swing of the bar and the actuation of the'cutting elements in such manner that power will be applied to effect orbital movement of the cutting elements only after power connections have been established permitting swing of the bar. From another aspect the invention comprises in addition to the features set forth the provision of clutch means for connecting the entire cutting mechanism so far mentioned to or disconnecting it from a source of power and so relating the control of the last mentioned clutch means and the control mecha nism for the remaining portions of the cutting mechanism that the power connection last mentioned will be the first to be established and the last to be interrupted. More specifically, the invention may comprise means for connecting the cuttingmechanism with the source of power, means for making available bar swinging power, and means for supplying power to actuate the cutting elements in the sequence set forth, and disconnecting them in reverse sequence, and in a preferred form the mechanism for accomplishing these results may comprise a single cam whose movement in opposite directions Iii) automatically effects the connections and disconnections specified. The foregoing statement of certain aspects of the invention is not intended to be all-inclusive and other aspects of the invention will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings in which for purposes of illustration one illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown,

Fig. 1 is a plan view with parts broken away of the cutting end of a mining machine in which the illustrative embodiment of the invention is incorporated.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal vertical section on the line 2-2 of Figs. 1 and 3.

F 3 is a view partially in horizontal section and taken on different planes, showing details of the mechanism constituting the illustrative embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fi 2 anti is a vertical transverse section onthis line.

In the drawings the illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed as incorporated in a machine of the so-called universal type in which provision is made for the insertion of shearing as well as horizontal kerfs and in which the plane of the kerfs may be adjusted. In the drawings 1 represents a suitable wheel supported frame one of whose supporting wheels is shown at 2. The frame 1 supports a mining machine shown only in part and generally designated 3 which comprises a body 4 shown only in part and rotatable upon a horizontal axis in trunnions 5 of which the forward one is shown. Rotatable about the axis of the trunnion 5 is the cutting mechanism generally designated 6 and to this cutting mechanism power is supplied by a shaft 7 which is actuated by a motor forming a portion of the machine 3, but not illustrated as its details are not involved in the present invention. The cutting mechanism 6 comprises a casing 6 rotatable as previously stated upon a horizontal longitudinally extending axis and comprising a main body portion 8, a top cover 9 and a bottom bearing ring 10. The bottom of the casing is closed by a rotatable cutter bar support 12 to which a cutter bar 13 provided with a circulating cutter chain '14 is rigidly secured. A cutter chain driving sprocket 15 is rotatable upon a vertical axis at the rear end of the cutter bar and serves to actuate the cutter chain 14.

Arranged in alinement with the power shaft 7 and journaled in bearings and 21 respectively carried by the housing 8 and by an enlarged sleeve portion 22 keyed to the front end of the power transmitting shaft 7 is a shaft 23 which carries a bevel driving pinion 24 thereon. The sleeve portion 22 is provided with a series of inwardly radially extending ribs 25 and the shaft 23 has splined thereto at 26 a-correspondingly. ribbed clutch element 27 which may be connected with the sleeve 22 by an internally grooved, longitudinally movable clutch sleeve 28. The operating mechanism for this clutch sleeve will be subsequently described.

The bevel pinion 24 meshes with and drives a bevel gear 30 rotatable upon a vertical axis in advance of and in the same vertical plane with the axis of rotation of the shaft 23. The gear 30 is rigidly mounted upon a hollow shaft .31 journaled in bearings 32 and 33 respectively below and above the gear and carried respectively by a portion of the frame 8 and by a removable cover member 34 detachably held by machine screws 35 to the cover plate 9. Shaft 31 is provided with spur teeth 36 meshing with and driving a large bevel gear 37 which likewise rotates upon a vertical axis. The axis of the bevel gear 37 lies in the same plane with the axes of the shafts 31 and 7 and is in front of the shaft 31 and coaxial with the bearing ring 10. The gear 37 is journaled on ball bearings 38 which surround a shaft 40. The shaft 40 is journaled at its upper end in a ball bearing 41 carried in a removable cover plate 42 and its lower end is journaled in a ball thrust bearing 43 carried by a sleeve member 44 bolted as at 45 to the head 12. The gear 37 is provided with a depending sleeve 46 having permanent clutch teeth 47 at its lower end and interlocking with corresponding permanent clutch teeth upon a radially toothed sleeve member 48 surrounding the shaft 40. Upon a shoulder 50 upon the shaft 40 there rests an externally toothed clutch sleeve 51, the sleeve being keyed as at 52 to the shaft 40. A vertically reciprocable internally toothed clutch member 53 is operative on upward movement to connect the peripheral teeth upon the sleeves 48 and 51 and so to cause the driving of the shaft 40 by the gear 37. The sleeve 53 is provided with a circumferential groove 54 at its upper end with which suitable shipper mechanism, later described, may cooperate. The shaft 40 at its lower end has keyed thereto as at 55 the cutter chain driving sprocket 15 which is held in position by a resilient split ring 56 engaging in a groove 57 surrounding the lower end of the shaft 40. To prevent access of grit or coal dust to the bearing 43 a resiliently mounted sealing ring 58 is arranged in a groove 60 in the lower end of the sleeve member 44 and is held by spring 61 in engagement with the upper surface of the cutiter chain driving sprocket to provide a sea For the purpose of swinging the cutter bar appropriate mechanism is actuated by the gear 37. This mechanism includes a pair of vertical shafts 62 and 63 rotating on axes in the same transversely extending vertical plane with the axis of rotation of the shaft 40. The shafts 62 and 63 carryat the upper ends thereof spur gears 64 and 65 suitably keyed to the shafts to effect driving of the latter, the gears 64 and 65 meshing with the gear 37 and being driven by the latter. The gear 64 constitutes the driving element for'the shaft on adjusting swinging movement of the cutter bar and the gear 65 the actuating element for the slow or cutting swinging movement of the cutter bar. Coaxial with the gear 64 and rotatable with the shaft 62 is a vertically disposed, multi-thread driving worm 66 (Fig. 4) which engages with a worm wheel 67 (see Fig. 3) rotating upon a transverse axis lying in front of the plane of the axes of rotation of gear 37 and shafts 62 and 63. C0- axial with the shaft 63 and rotating therewith is a worm 68 meshing with a worm wheel 69 coaxial with the worm wheel '67. The lead of the worm 68 is less'than that of the worm 66, the ratio of the leads of these'worms being appropriate to the desired ratio of cutting and positioning barswing. The worm wheels 67 and 69 are rotatably supported upon suitable ball bearings 70 upon a transversely extending hollow shaft 71 which is provided between its ends with a worm 72 which constitutes a further driving element in efiecting bar swing. The shaft 71 is journaled in bearings 73 at opposite sides of its center and is surrounded to the outside of the bearings 73 with suitable means 74 for positioning the ball bearings 70. The inner race of the ball bearing 70 is journaled upon a sleeve 75 splined to shaft 71 and is held against movement in a direction away from the part 74 by a split ring 76. The sleeve 75 is held in position by a locking collar 77 threadedly engaging a reduced portion 78 upon the end of the shaft 71 and a resilient ring 79 serves to prevent accidental backing off of the locking collar. A suitable abutment ring 81 is arranged to the outside of each bearing 70 and the worm wheels 69 and 67 are provided with inwardly directed ribs adapted to engage with friction clutch discs 82 while the sleeve 75 has radially extending ribs 84 engaging with other friction clutch rings interposed between the rings of the first mentioned series. Clutch shippers 87 are arranged outside the series of clutch discs and may be moved in opposite directions to selectively effect engagement of the clutch connecting the worm wheel 67 or the worm wheel 69 to the shaft 71. As previously stated, the shaft'71 is hollow throughout its length, but at one end is provided with a portion of slightly smaller internal diameter. This portion is internally threaded at 90 and is threadedly engaged by a transversely extending rod 91 to. whose opposite ends operating handles 92 and 93 are splined and held by machine screws 94. The handles 92 and 93 have sleeves 95 engaging the clutch shipper members 87 and upon rotation of the handles in opposite directions force one or the other of the clutch shipper members against the series of discs and so connect the desired worm wheel in driving relation to the worm 72.

lVorm 72 inter-meshes with a worm wheel 100 rotating upon a vertical axis in the same vertical longitudinally extending plane with the axes of the shafts 31 and 40. This worm wheel 100 is freely rotatable upon a sleeve 101 surrounding a vertical shaft 102 coaxial with the worm wheel. Shaft 102 is journaled in the bearing 103 adjacent its lower end and iii the hearing 104 mounted in a cap 105 bolted at 106 to the cover plate 9. The lower end of the shaft 102 forms a spur pinion 107 which meshes with a large internal spur gear 108 held by bolts 109 to the head 12 and opera- 5' tive on rotation upon its axis, which is in alinement with the axis of the shaft 40, to effect bar swing. Connection of the worm wheel 100 to the shaft 102 is controlled by a vertically reciprocable internally toothed clutch sleeve 111 which is movable downward to efiect the clutching of a spur toothed sleeve 112 keyed at 113 to the shaft 102 to the radially extending teeth 114 connected in non-rota tive relation to the worm wheel 100. Obviously upward movement of the clutch sleeve 111 disconnects the spur pinion 107 from the worm wheel 100 and permits the free rotation of the latter and so free swinging movement of the cutter bar.

For'reasons heretofore set forth itis deslrableto first make a power connection to the cutting mechanism gearing, thereafter to efiect bar swing if necessary, and only finally to engage the clutch which effects cutter chain driving sprocket rotation. This predetermined sequence of operations is accomplished by rotation of a single handle 120 mounted tudinally extending reciprocable clutch shipper bar 129. The bar 129 has a portion 130 engaging in the peripheral groove 131 of the clutch shipper sleeve 28. Roller 125 is rotatably mounted upon a transversely ex tending shaft 132 which extends between the rearward end of brackets 133 mounted upon the rearward ends of a pair of parallel longitudinally slidable actuating reds 134 which are pivotally connected at their forward ends as at 135 to depending arms 136 rotatably supported by means of sleeve journal members 137 upon the shaft 71. The journal members 137 also carry forwardly projecting parallel arms 138 having portions 139 engaging in the annular groove 1 10 of the clutch shipper sleeve 111. Roller 126 is j our na-led upon a shaft 1&2 connecting the spaced arms of the clutch shipper yoke 144 whose fork 1&5 operatively engage in the annular groove in the vertically reciprocable cutter chain driving sprocket engaging clutch 53.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the movements of the roller 124 control the connection of the main power transmitting clutch comprising the elements 27, 28 and 22, that the movements of the roller 125 control the connection of the pinion 107 with the worm wheel 100 and so determine whether the cutter bar shall be free for pivotal movement, or shall be locked or swung by power as may be determined by the operation of the handles 92, 93. The position of roller 126 determines whether or not the cutter chain dri ving sprocket shall be operatively connected to the driving gear 37.

Starting with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, it will be evident that movement of the handle 120 in a counter-clockwise direction will produce no movement whatever of the roller 126 until the handle is rotated through about 120 and that the handle must be rotated a matter of more than 45 before any motion of the roller 125 will take place. After a rotation of a relatively few degrees, however, the roller 124 will begin to be moved. As a result of this disposition of the parts it will be evident that if the handle 120 is moved counterclockwise the clutch sleeve 28 twill be moved longitudinally toward the left as the roller 124 moves toward the center of the cam 122 and that after the clutch is fully engaged there will be no further movement of the roller 12% since. for more than a quadrant and a half the cam contour at the end of the actuation portion of roller 124 does not change. After the engagement of the main clutch, connection of the worm wheel 100 and pinion 107 will be accomplished 'due to the longitudinal movement toward the center of the cam of the roller 125 and when this clutch is engaged the roller 125 will remain at a fixed distance from the center due to the cam contour. Finally, roller 126 will be subjected to motion toward the center of the cam and as a result the cutter chain driving sprocket will be operatively connected through upward movement of the sleeve 53 to the gear 37 and so the cutter chain will be driven. On opposite movement of the cam discs the events mentioned will take place in opposite order but in determined sequence, the cutter chain driving sprocket first being disconnected from its driving element, second, the connection between the worm wheel 100 and the pinion 107 being broken, and, last, the main power connection to the cutting mechanism being interrupted. It will therefore be evident that by no error in opera tion can the parts be caused to cooperate in other than the correct sequence and the machine runner and others in the mines will be protected with certainty against accidental injury.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a. mining machine, the combination with a swingablc cutter chain carrying cutter bar, of a cutter chain controlling clutch, a cutter bar swing controlling clutch, and a common control for said clutches.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter bar an d power actuating means therefor, of a cutter chain controlling clutch, a cutter'bar swing controlling clutch, a main power control clutch, and a common control forsaid clutches.

3. In a mining machine, swingablc cutting mechanisn'i. and controlling mechanism therefor including a plurality of relatively movable clutches having different controlling functions, one of which controls swinging movement of said cutting mechanism to effect a cutting operation while another controls the actuation of said cuttingmechanism, and a common control for successively connecting said clutches including means for connecting said cutting mechanism actuation controlling clutch priorto the connection of said bar swing control clutch.

4-. In a mining machine, swingable cut ting mechanism and controlling mechanism therefor including a plurality of lGliltlVCl) movable clutches having different controlling functions, one of which controls swinging movement of said cutting mechanism to effect a cutting operation, a second of which controls the actuation of said cutting mecha nism and a third of which controls the drive through both of said clutches, and a common control for successively operating said clutches.

5. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter chain carrying cutter bar, of a cutter chain controlling clutch, a cutter bar swing controlling clutch, and a common cam control member for actuating said clutches.

6. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter chain carrying cutter bar and power actuating means therefor, of a cutter chain controlling clutch, a cutter bar swing controlling clutch, a main power control clutch, and a common cam member for actuating said clutches.

7. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism, and controlling mechanism therefor in ment of said cutting mechanism to effect a cutting operation, a second of which controls the actuation of sald cutting mechanism and a third of which controls the drive through both of said clutches, operating mechanism for each clutch and a common cam control member for actuating said clutches and having a single cam portion for engaging and actuating all of said clutch operating mechanisms for successively operating said clutches. V

8. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism, and controlling mechanism therefor including a plurality of relatively movable clutches having different controlling functions, one ofwhich controls swinging movement of said cutting mechanism to effect a cutting operation, a second of which controls the actuation of said cutting mechanism and a third of which controls the drive through both of said clutches, operating mechanism for each clutch and a common cam control member for successively operating said clutches and having a single cam portion for engaging and actuating all of said clutch operating mechanisms for successively operating said clutches.

9. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter chain carrying outter bar, of a cutter chain controlling clutch, a cutter bar swing controlling clutch, and means including a common rotatable control element for actuating said clutches.

10. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter chain carrying cutter bar and power actuating means therefor, of a cutter chain controlling clutch, a cutter bar swing controlling clutch, a main power control clutch, and means including a common rotatable control element for actuating said clutches.

11. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter chain carrying outter bar and power actuating means therefor, of a main power control clutch, a cutter chain controlling clutch, a bar swing controlling clutch, and means including a common rotatable cam member for actuating said clutches.

12. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter chain carrying outter bar and power actuating means therefor, of a main power controlling clutch, a cutter chain controlling clutch, a bar swing controlling clutch, and means including a common rotatable cam member for successively actuating said clutches.

13. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter chain carrying cutter bar and power actuating means therefor, of a main power controllin clutch, a cutter chain controlling clutch, a bar swing controlling clutch, and a common control for said clutches including means for first actuating said main clutch, for next actuating said bar swing clutch, and for thereafter actuating said cuts ter chain clutch. v r l r 14;. In a mining machine, the combination with swingable cutter chain carrying outter bar and power actuating means therefor, of a main power controlling clutch, a cutter chain controlling clutch, a bar swing controlling clutch, and means forcontrolling said clutches including a common rotatable cam member for first actuating said main clutch, for next actuating said bar swing clutch, and for thereafter actuating said cutter chain clutch.

15. In a mining machine, the combination with a pivoted cutter chain carrying cutter bar'and power actuating means therefor, of a main power control clutch, a cutter chain controlling clutch arranged coaxially with the axis of bar swing, and a common control for said clutches.

16. In a mining machine, the combination with a pivoted cutter chain carrying cutter bar and power actuating means therefor, of a main power control clutch, a cutter chain controlling clutch arranged coaxially with the axis of bar swing, and means for controlling said clutches including a common rotatable cam member. s

17. In a mining machine, the combination with a pivoted cutter chain carrying cutter bar and power actuating means therefor, of a main power control clutch, a cutter chain controlling clutch arranged coaxially with the axis of bar swing, and means for successively actuating said clutches including a common rotatable cam member.

18. In a mining machine, the combination with a pivoted cutter chain carrying cutter bar and power actuating means therefor including a power shaft, of a main power control clutch arranged coaxially with said shaft, a cutter chain cont-rolling clutch arranged coaxially with the axis of bar swing,- and a common control for said clutches.

19. In a mining machine, the combination. with a pivoted cutter chain carrying cutter barand power actuating means therefor including a power shaft, ofa main power control clutch arranged coaxially with-said shaft, a cutter chain controlling clutch arranged coaxially with the axis of bar swing, and means for actuating said clutches including a common rotatable cam member.

20. In a mining machine, the combination with a pivoted cutter chain carrying cutter bar and power actuating means therefor including a power shaft, of a main power con trol clutch arranged coaxially with said shaft, a cutter chain controlling clutch ar-. ranged coaxially with the axis of bar swing, and means for successively actuating said clutches including a common rotatable cam member.

21. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter chain carrying cutter bar, of a cutter chain controlling clutch, a bar swing controlling clutch, and a cam control for successively operating said clutches in fixed sequence.

22. In a mining machine, the combination with a swingable cutter chain carrying cutter bar, of a cutter chain controlling clutch, a bar swing controlling clutch, and a common control for said'clutches including means for first actuating said bar swing clutch and thereafter actuating said cutter chain clutch.

23. In a mining machine, controlling mechanism including a plurality of relatively movable clutches, and operating means therefor, and a common control for said clutches including a rotatable element having a single cam groove with which all of said operating means cooperate and operable when rotated in one direction to successively connect said clutches. I

24. In a mining machine, controlling mechanism including a plurality of relatively movable clutches and operating means for each of the same including a roller, and a common control for said clutches including a rotatable element having 'a single cam groove with which saidrollers cooperate and operable when rotated in one direction to successively connect said clutches.

25. In a mining machine, kerf cutting mechanism, and controlling mechanism for said cutting mechanism including a plurality of relatively movable clutches having different controlling functions and a common control for said clutches operable when moved in one direction to successively connect all of said clutches and when moved in a reverse direction to successively disconnect the same.

26. In a mining machine, controlling mechanism including a plurality of relatively movable clutches, and operating means therefor, one of said clutches being a cutter drive control clutch, another a cutter swing control clutch and the third a clutch controlling the drive through both of said clutches, and a common control for said clutches including a rotatable element having a single continuous cam means with which all of said operating means cooperate and operable when rotated in one direction to successively connect said clutches.

27. In a mining machine, controlling mechanism including a plurality of controlling clutches having difierent controlling functions, one of which controls swinging movement of said cutting mechanism to effect a cutting operation, a second of which controls the actuation of said cutting mechanism and a third of which controls the drive through both of said clutches, operating means for each clutch, and manual controlling means for said clutches including a rotatable control member common to the actuation of all of said clutches, said control member having a single continuous cam means for engaging and actuating the operating means for all of said clutches for successively operating said clutches.

28. In a mining machine, controlling mechanism including three controlling clutches having different controlling functions, one of which controls swinging movement of said cutting mechanism to effect a cutting operation, a second of which controls the actuation of said cutting mechanism and a third of which controls the drive through both of said clutches, operating means for each clutch, and manual controlling means for said clutches including a rotatable control member common to the actuation of all of said clutches, said control member having a single continuous cam means for engaging and actuating the operating means for all of said clutches, the cam surface upon rotation of said control member first effecting the connection of one clutch, secondly another clutch and thereafter the third clutch all in a predetermined sequence.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES. 

